EATINGWELL: Eat your vegetables -- and enjoy them -- with a green smoothie

Jan 9, 2013EatingWell

If you have resolved to eat more dark leafy greens this year, you should know that you can get your daily dose any time of day with this delicious green smoothie. Ground flaxseed adds omega-3s. Pour any extra into a freezer-pop mold and have it later as a frozen green smoothie pop.

Green Smoothie

Makes 2 servings, about 1 3/4 cups each.

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

2 ripe medium bananas

1 ripe pear or apple, peeled if desired, chopped

2 cups chopped kale leaves, tough stems removed (see notes)

1/2 cup cold orange juice

1/2 cup cold water

12 ice cubes

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (see notes)

Place bananas, pear (or apple), kale, orange juice, water, ice cubes and flaxseed in a blender. Pulse a few times, then puree until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary.

Notes: Choose organic kale when possible. Nonorganic can have high pesticide residue.

Look for ground flaxseeds (or flaxmeal) in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets or in natural-foods stores. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.